Beef Island Development Project criticised

 By Mellica McPherson

 Some very concerned BVI residents and citizens are threatening to take action to prevent the proposed Beef Island Development Project, because they feel that the initiative will have adverse effects on Hans Creek and the surrounding area. 

At a community meeting that was held on Thursday 30 November, presentations and testimonies all pointing to the damage that may be caused by this development were heard.

The repeated comment of the evening was that “Beef Island is the last of Nature’s Little Secrets.” Some very disquieted residents spoke, made presentation and even testified to some of the possible damages that this proposed development might have, especially the predicted destruction of the fish nursery site that is in that location.

In one such presentation it was learned that the development project will include: inner and outer marinas; a marina village; a 200 room hotel and spa; residential lots and villas, Trellis Bay Commercial Centre, and an 18 hole, 180 acre golf course.

There were persons with fishing interests at the meeting, and their main concern was the fact that some of the proposed development is slated to take place at Hans Creek, an area that has been legislated as a “fisheries protected area:” Their points were made when they quoted section 51(5)(b) of the Virgin Islands Fisheries Regulations, 2003, that actually declares Hans Creek, Beef Island as a fisheries protected site.

Excerpts from certain reports that are relevant to the issue were presented as evidence against the proposal. The first of the presented excerpts was from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that was carried out by Applied Technology & Management Inc. (ATM). The assessment said it was “unable to rule out the possibility of any adverse impacts on the Fisheries Protected Area.”

However, an excerpt was presented from an independent review of the EIA, which was done by Dr. Leonard Nurse that stated that “perhaps the most serious shortcoming of the EIA documents is their failure to communicate that there is sufficient familiarity with, and understanding of the complex bio-geophysical environment that exists at Beef Island.” Following that, an excerpt from a document that was presented in 1981 by Mr. Bertrand Lettsome was read. It “identified the areas of Hans Creek, Banana Wharf and the Bluff, Beef Island, as areas of critical biological, economic and social value to the BVI”

A quote that was taken from the 1988 Publication by the UNEP and IUCN entitled, “Coral Reefs of the World” stated that the Hans Creek Lagoon “is unusually delicate, due to its mangrove shoreline, and vulnerable to pollution as there is apparently no water exchange within the lagoon.” Numerous other excerpts that attest to the uniqueness of the Hans Creek area were presented at that meeting. Some  were from International agencies such as the International Center for Living and Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM).

After a thorough description was presented an explanation was given as to why residents are so concerned about the proposed project. In fact, throughout the evening almost all of the speakers stated that they were not against the development and the very important benefits that it would bring to the Territory. However, they said that  they were unhappy that the area that was chosen as the site for this venture happened to be a fisheries protected area.

One of the factors that seemed to have disturbed these residents is the allegations that the  Bluff Bay Pond, which is the largest salt pond within the project area, will be excavated in order to facilitate the construction of the proposed inland marina. It is feared that the alleged proposed destruction of this pond will have adverse effects on the environment such as:  reduction of the available habitat for water birds,  reduction in the capacity of this wetland to retain erosion sediments, and fear that pollutants will be flushed into the sea — all of which can  have a potential  impact on  Hans Creek and Bluff Bay.

The allegations that Little Cay, Hans Creek will be used for holes number 16 and 17 of the golf course also has some BV Islanders upset, and forlorn.

One senior BVI man said that he is flabbergasted at the overwhelming scientific evidence against the project. “I agree with the other comments that were made here tonight, I too believe that we should save Beef Island so that future generations can enjoy it as much as we did.”

A very emotional BVI woman reminded those in attendance of the Wickhams Cay, and Anegada projects that were thwarted by concerned citizens. In a near tear voice she announced “we need to do what we can to save Beef Island. Whether it is a rally, a march or even a petition, let us stand up and be counted.”

Following her remarks many other residents made their way to the microphone to comment and pledge their support in the attempt to “save Beef Island”.